Chapter 23
Rio
Miami, FL
“Why would you take that assignment?” I say louder than I mean to. My voice carries and echoes throughout the room.
“What do you mean why?” Luna answers, adding, “My boss called me into his office and said he was assigning the client to me.”
“They know you have a history with him, and they’re making you his publicist. They’re trying to capitalize on the whole thing. My real question is why you would let this happen?”
“It’s just a job assignment. It doesn’t matter who it is. I’m new. I couldn’t say no, Rio.”
“This is not right. That asshole wants to fuck you. He took the first chance he got—with you almost unconscious and Adina stepping away—to make his move.”
What would have happened to her if I had not seen it go down? Why do I even need to explain that to her?
“I understand more than anyone. I’m not going to be alone with him, and even if I am, I’m not getting drugged again. I can handle him. He’s a challenge, and it could make my career.”
The natural way she responds, like this shit is normal, stings. “Luna, are you listening to yourself? You don’t need this challenge. You have so much going for yourself. And you will be alone with him. Maeven is constantly there when there’s a crisis.”
Why is this so hard for her to grasp?
She crosses her arms in front of her. “It’s different.
Maeven is personally invested in you. No matter how much of a hard-ass she can be, she adores you.
You are family to her. I won’t ever forget what happened with Thierry.
I don’t trust him, so I am not personally investing in him. I am just doing my job.”
“It’s not that simple, Mami. And I’m going to be on the other side of the world. I can’t be there to protect you.”
She takes my hand. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“How can I not? Why don’t you come with me? You can do the job from anywhere.” It’s wishful thinking, but I’m desperate.
She shakes her head. “I can’t. I’m expected to be in the office half the time. I don’t have the clout of a senior publicist. I still need to run things by a peer mentor in the beginning. I have to earn my stripes.
I close my eyes and grasp at the patience I don’t feel.
She tugs at my hand. “I’ll fly out as much as I can.” She smiles. “I have the money now.”
I frown at her. “Do you think that was ever the problem? I could fly you out anytime. If I don’t, the label will because you’re important to me.”
She removes her hand from mine. “It matters to me, Rio. I’ve never been paid like this.”
She doesn’t get it. And that’s what has me clenching my teeth. “They’re using you and what happened months ago to bring them publicity and manage that asshole.”
“I’m using them too. I’m building my career from them. I want to see my hard work pay off. I need to make this money on my own. I’m good at this.”
“I know. You’re amazing at everything you do. I’ve just been in this world so much longer. Thierry is not the first guy to see an opportunity and try to take advantage. Others have, and they will continue trying. You’re a challenge to him.”
“He can think what he wants. I’m there to work, and that’s it.” She runs a hand over her neck. “I don’t know what to say to you to make you understand.”
A weight falls over my stomach, and I don’t know what I can do to make her understand, but I do know this is her career.
I know what it’s like not to have control.
I hate it, but I can try for her. “I don’t know if there’s anything you can say, Luna.
I hate this. I’m never going to be okay with it, but it’s your career, and I understand your drive. I’m here for you.”
She throws her arms around me. “Thank you.”
Her voice shakes, and I press her against me. The knock on the door doesn’t tear us apart. Her arms tighten around me.
“I don’t want to lose you.”
Something cold blows over my chest. “You won’t,” I whisper. “I haven’t yelled, and you didn’t black out on me. Is this even a fight?”
She doesn’t laugh, and there’s another knock.
“One second,” I call out.
She pulls back, and there’s something sad in her eyes. I can’t stand it, so I kiss it away.
“Don’t be sad, mi Diosa. We are okay. I’m not going anywhere.”
She smiles, and as always, my chest tightens. I take her hand, and we head to the door where Tito stands outside.
“Let’s go,” my cousin says.
But Sel’s gaze bounces back and forth between us, with the eyes that miss absolutely nothing.
* * *
Rio
There’s a nervous energy in the car on the way to the Ficha party at Star Island.
Outside, evening falls, and the road to Star Island is blocked by fans lining the entrance to the road.
It’s a beautiful parking lot of luxury cars with access to the view of the sea and million-dollar homes across the water.
Inside, Luna is sandwiched between me and a dozed off Sel in the back of the Escalade while Tito rides shotgun in the front with the driver.
Though our shoulders are touching, we haven’t said much to each other since we got in the car.
Our earlier argument is a ghost, a silent presence sitting between us, keeping us apart—mentally, at least.
As much as I try to get over it, my head is full of Luna’s job and her new assignment to work with Thierry.
I want to put it away, but it’s messing with my head.
It’s really frustrating because I’ve been waiting all week to be with her.
I couldn’t wait for her to get here and be with her, and now we’ve got this shit to deal with.
Are you going to let that get in the way?
She’s going back to New York the day after tomorrow.
Our time together is short these days, and we won't see each other again for two weeks. I’m going to let this go, because she’s mine, and I trust her.
No one is going to get in the way of that, least of all that asshole.
I turn, and our gazes meet. Tension is there, lingering in her eyes, and it tugs at my heart because I hate seeing her worried.
So, I lean and kiss her lips. A smile curves her mouth against mine, and I drape my arm around her shoulder.
Her hand secures me to her as we pepper kisses on each other’s lips.
“Damn, Sel is knocked out,” says Tito from the front seat.
“She might as well be. We’re not going anywhere for a while,” adds our driver, an older man with the thickest mustache I’ve seen in my life.
“So the fans are lining up out here and won’t even get to see you guys up close?” Luna asks, looking out at the crowd gathered outside.
I kiss the side of her forehead. “Yeah, Ficha wanted an exclusive party with only people they vet. Some artists let really loose at these events, and they want to make sure there are no leaks to the media. Phones are confiscated at the door for the attending fans.”
“I get that, but these people are here to show their support.” She points to them outside. “They should at least get to see you guys.”
It makes me smile because her heart is so big. “You’re so sweet, Mami.”
She elbows me. “Callate.”
“You want me to go say hi?” I ask.
I look down, and her eyes brighten. “At least to the little kids.”
“Tito, let’s go outside.”
Tito gets out of the front seat and opens the door for us. “Stay close to the car.”
Sel lifts her head. “Where are you going?”
“Go back to sleep. We’ll be right back,” Luna tells her.
The minute I step out of the car, someone screams, “Rio!”
People rush to us, asking for photos or autographs. I sign a few and take a few photos.
Luna tugs at my hand and points at two young girls holding signs that say: Lil Sirenas love you, Rio.
They can’t be more than ten. I smile and blow kisses at them, beckoning them over.
The crowd parts as they approach with their signs.
I sign their banners while Luna takes one of their phones and snaps photos of me with them.
When more people begin rushing our way, Tito ushers us toward the car. “Let’s go inside. Traffic is starting to move.”
Once we’re inside the car, Luna takes my face in her hands and kisses me, her lips on mine, hungry, her tongue plunging into my mouth to flick mine. “Thank you.”
“Cono, si te pone asi, we can just go back out there, and I’ll sign more autographs, and we’ll go back to the room.”
She chuckles and leans against me.
We finally cross the bridge onto the island, and Luna straightens so she can see ahead.
The road is lined with palm trees and grass manicured to perfection.
We pass mansion after mansion until we reach the massive two-story white structure on a cul-de-sac with 360-degree views of Biscayne Bay, red-roofed massive homes across the water, and the tall buildings that compose the skyline of Miami.
There are people milling about on the side of the house, waiting to gain entrance.
Tito parts the crowd for us to get into the mansion. The scent of gardenias is fragrant in the air, I have mi mujer with me, and everything is just right at this moment.
Mi mujer? The words astound me. That’s what she is, though.
I would’ve preferred to stay in bed with her, castigandola and showing her how much I’ve been missing her.
But I want to do more than just show Luna cama y bicho.
No, we have to do more than that, like visit new cities and experience the world together.
I have plans for when she visits me during the European leg of the tour.
I need to witness her reaction when she sees the Eiffel Tower the first time or walk around Rome with her. She’s going to love it, especially when I take her to the stores where she can find a lot of the unique jewelry and pieces she likes. She can curate items for Morena & Miel.